DataManagement

ImgBurn - Utilized for Vmware

ImgBurn is my favorite software to create images for my Vmware deployments. Nothing is easier then putting a CD in the drive, creating an ISO then putting the ISO on the ESX server to mount at will. To make this wonderful application portable, install it to your hard drive. Then locate the installation directory and copy the folder to a USB drive, that’s it, its that easy. Here is an insert from the official website. Sorry its kind of long, but i didn’t want to leave out the list of features! Go here to check out more features and to download the product, remember if you like the application and find it useful, he accepts donations…

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ImgBurn supports a wide range of image file formats - including BIN, CUE, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, ISO, MDS, NRG and PDI.

It can burn Audio CD’s from any file type supported via DirectShow / ACM - including AAC, APE, FLAC, M4A, MP3, MP4, MPC, OGG, PCM, WAV, WMA and WV.

You can use it to build DVD Video discs (from a VIDEO_TS folder), HD DVD Video discs (from a HVDVD_TS folder) and Blu-ray Video discs (from a BDAV / BDMV folder) with ease.

It supports Unicode folder/file names, so you shouldn’t run in to any problems if you’re using an international character set.

ImgBurn supports all the Windows OS’s - Windows 95, 98, Me, NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista and 2008 (including all the 64-bit versions). If you use Wine, it should also run on Linuxand other x86-based Unixes.

It’s a very flexible application with several advanced features that are often lacking in other tools, especially when it comes to burning DVD Video discs. It supports all the latest drives without the need for updates (including booktype / bitsetting / advanced settings on many of the major ones - i.e. BenQ, LiteOn, LG, NEC, Plextor, Samsung, Sony).

There is an image queue system for when you’re burning several images (which you can automatically share between multiple drives if you have more than one) and an easy-to-uselayer break selection screen for double layer DVD Video jobs. The Automatic Write Speed feature allows you store your favourite burn speed settings on a per ‘Media ID’ basis, right down to a drive by drive level. Data captured during the burn (write speed, buffer levels etc) can be displayed / analysed using DVDInfoPro.

Whilst ImgBurn is designed to work perfectly straight out of the box, advanced users will appreciate just how configurable it is.

Oh and let’s not forget the best thing about it…. it’s 100% FREE

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Cheers,
NS

Advice on Roaming Profiles

They have one pro and some cons… mind you the pro is kind of all encompassing…

The pro is basically that you can have your profile on any PC in your organization. This means you don’t have to reset up outlook, favorites, desktops, etc… everything is there.

The Cons, Outlook and Outlook express can be finicky with Roaming profiles, sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. Depending on the size of the profile, the initial sync can take a long time (if you’ve invested in a gigabit network you have that covered). A warning here, DO NOT use offline folders with roaming profiles. it is a very bad combo and I have never really had luck with it. I have come across some companies where previous consultants setup roaming profiles, OKAY, but then they have My Documents redirected to the server AND offline folders set to My Documents. I mean who does that? I just had to laugh at that, then promptly disabled Offline files. I almost forgot that you have to make sure domain users or the users account is a local admin, this usually helps with roaming profiles.

Anyways enough about that… enjoy your evening!

NS